"You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone." ~Betty Ford

Tieks Card

I've walked many a paths all by myself and others I've had a cheerleader or two with me... more often than not, Betty was right, it's easier, to walk most any path, if we don't do it alone. Are there seasons in which God calls us to walk alone, to trust Him and Him alone? Sure! He is our Friend and our Counselor. However, He does also tell us that "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." - Prov. 15:22

If you're going through something today all alone, first and foremost trust and seek God... then as He leads, wisely seek out your friends... the ones that truly have your back in prayer, support, etc. A favorite quote of mine since high school has been "A true friend overlooks your failures and tolerates your success" by Doug Larson. I change this up a bit to say 'celebrates your successes' and one who truly loves you will give you grace in your failures but they will also instruct you in love where you've gone or are going wrong. (See John 8:32 & Hosea 4:6)
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likesuccess.com

A few times in a lifetime we have a friend that knows all about us and stays with us through it all. We are to cherish those when they come. There are also friends that are there to keep us accountable whether with our health, finances or business goals. In this day and age, some of our friends we found through the virtual world or maybe we met them in person but the relationship has deepened through social media because you found another that thinks like you, believes like you or dreams like you, etc.

Whomever your friends are... and you know who the "reals" are (that's what I call my gang, tribe, peeps... whatever :D)... let them know how much you appreciate them. Next, grab their arm and do life together. Don't go it alone!

You know that feeling when you receive a random "just because" card that makes you smile the rest of the day? Or the feeling of overflow when you receive a message of encouragement? I experienced that times three on Monday. Good things do happen on Mondays... who knew!? ;D

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Several months back, on a Sunday morning, I had multiple gals come up to me and tell me they had been thinking of me the last week but never reached out (their words) and proceeded to ask how I was. I was having a very difficult time privately and it had been a tough, tough week. Outside of the promptings of God, those gals would have never known this and without really leaning into Him they didn’t recognize it.

There’s no hard feelings there (I’ve been guilty of this too) so please know that when I say… Do you know how much it would have blessed me if just one of them had reached out!? The thing is, they didn’t realize God was trying to use them... but He was. We’ve all been guilty of this haven’t we? We just thought it was a passing thought and then later on found out that "oh man, we should’ve reached out when that person was on our heart." ​

​Fast forward to two days ago, I had three different ladies reach out, all on the same day, and each of them was a God-send. One sent a sweet text, another tried to call but when I wasn’t up for that we had an encouraging conversation via text and the third sent a card… a random, out-of-the-blue, very special card. I was sick with a cold and still to this day I strongly dislike a wasted day. It’s one thing if I’ve planned rest, which I try to do now, but when sickness hits and puts me behind schedule, it can tend to really annoy… anyone!?

Okay, moving on ; )

​We’ve all had moments at the grocery store when someone comes to mind but we’re in a rush and we don’t send a quick text to say hi. We’ve all been so tired at night we don’t feel like reaching out and talking to anyone. We’ve all enjoyed that little bit of alone time in the car and don’t want to make a phone call. Now please let me say, there's nothing wrong with not normally (outside of the promptings of God) doing any of these things.

Actually, as great as us Americans are at multi-tasking, studies show we shouldn’t be so proud of this so I’m not promoting that. I also think we could all limit our use of social media a little more, so what am I saying then? We have resources at our fingertips that weren’t available to the generations before us… yet somehow, they did a better job at keeping in touch… real touch. Ya know, truly getting to know someone, how they are doing and feeling and being there for them in tangible heartfelt ways.

So I’m encouraging you today to first stop, slow down, recognize that those promptings of the heart, more often than not, are God’s way of saying “I want to use you to love on somebody today.”

When you’re too tired to call… write out a quick card. Uh, yes, I just said that. LOL I still believe in and love snail mail. Who doesn’t enjoy getting a handwritten letter or card from someone who cares!?

Can’t talk but want to let someone know they were on your mind… post something to their Facebook wall or send them a Pin. One of my dearest friends it so good at this that even though we haven’t seen each other for a year, I still feel close to her.

And sometimes, there’s no way around it… you’re going to have to stop everything and just call, go see them, etc. When God is trying to use you, don’t be too busy for Him. You’d want others to be obedient to His ‘call to love’ if it were you were on the receiving end.

~~ Make an intention to slow down the next time someone is on your heart and then reach out and love them! ~~